I read a TSB on the fuel cut with 6spd maximas and took it to the dealership (http://www.lhrc.net/maxima/ntb01-018.html). My 2002 Maxima 6spd was having the exact issues. I just took it to the dealership and they said that I already had the new codes and that the TSB I had did not apply....it only applied to the 01 model. They said they even double checked the updates on my car and said it was the same programmed codes as the TSB. I don't believe they are not telling the truth, but any ideas on where I can go from here?

Jon

 

there is no TSB on fuel cuts for the 2k2's that i know of.

 

Thanks.....but I am bewildered because exactly what has been described his happening to me, and now I am at a loss.
Jon

 

Can you describe the problem? I have a feeling you're just experiencing the delay of the drive-by-wire throttle.

 

Sure. In any gear, below 2000 rpm usually, if I mash the pedal, it hesitates for a second. It feels just like when an automatic car downshifts (specifically the 1/2 second pause before it engages). I used to think it was the variable valve adjusting to the new demand for more air...but that is a guess as I am not mechanically inclined with Variable valves.

The car also bucks a lot. In low gear, especially second and third, driving in traffic on the interstate as a slow speed, with rpms again around 2000, if I leave it in a gear...let off the gas, then gently touch it again, it simply "bucks". Unless I ride the clutch, or really really ease into the gas, I cant get away with a jerk ride. I have driven only stick all my life and I cant get a smooth shift for nearly 65% of the time.

 

You should not drive that engine under 2000 rpms. If you are that is the problem. That boggs it down and puts alot of stress on it. Did you use to have an american car? Japanese cars dont like anything under 2000, and you should only be at 2000 when your at a constant speed just for saving gas.

 

Thats not fuel cut. Thats normal for 2k2 Maxima's. I have all those symptoms in my 2k2.

 

What? I have driven MANY Japanese cars and dont drive like that/this...could you provide additional info as to how you arrived at that statement?

 

LMAO, so an American 6cyl. is a better engine that can handle the load. Have you read the shift points in your manual.

Yea thats BS.

I have the same problem.
If it's a fuel cut then when the butterfly opens up the engine would run very lean and someone with OBD-2 software would have seen it by now, wouldn't they have?
It's either a delay in the motor of the TB or the ECU. If the drive-by-wire throttle is run through the ECU then their could be a hickup there, which should be fixable with a software update.
I don't believe it's the motor in the TB because at other times the response is very good. It's probibly the ECU. Under certain load conditions it is either a Nissan programed preset delay for safty or a fault in the code.

 

My 6spd is exactly the same. I've adjusted to the delay by pre-revving before I let out the clutch, that helps to keep from bogging due to the delay.

I would agree that it is the buckingest damn car I've ever owned. I've had to adjust my traffic-jam driving style by shifting to neutral once I stop accelerating, then coast. If traffic comes back down to a stop, I stay in neutral and brake; if traffic speeds up, I rev to 2k or so, ease into gear, accelerate to the new speed, and then back into neutral. It takes a lot of work to drive this car smoothly in stop-and-go traffic, more work than any other car I've ever owned, but it can be done with practice. That's saying something, considering I've owned nothing but manual tranmission cars.

The funny part is, it wasn't like this when it was brand new. Throttle response was instantaneous from a stop or low speed, and it didn't buck at all. After about 1200 miles, I guess everything loosened up a bit and it started its current behavior.

 

Hey Chance, I work it the same way you do. I live in NYC so there's always stop and go traffic. I had to drive 10-15mph for about 1.5 hrs and constantly shifting in and out of neutral to keep the car from bucking. My girlfriend was getting sick from me staying in 1st gear at low rpms . It also helps to keep it in 2nd, less bucking.

 

Whatever yall want to say. If you drive your standard max below 2000 in any gear other than 1st and 2nd you are straining your engine. These cars werent meant to drive below 2000. Ive owned several japanese cars. My 87 supra, my 95 max, my old 92 max, my 86 camry, and my 95 max. None like it under 2000. If you think they do and you wanna drive below these rpms whatever. Put it in 4th or 5th and cruise under 1800 rpm and see your performance. Your engine will bog especially if you floor it. This is straining your engine.

 

Interesting, same problem here, also didn't have it when new. Driving stop and go is really a pain, unless you are working the clutch all the time it does buck or jerk, no matter how smooth you are on/off the throttle.
Took it to dealer for this, they acknowledged the problem, but found everything to spec so couldn't do anything.

I think this symptom is from the same problem that causes the hesitation under acceleration, drive by wire system or ecu...

 

I GOT RID OF MY 2000 SE 5-SPEED BECAUSE OF THE FUEL CUT PROBLEM !!!

So I like to think I know a lot about this.
The second part of your post sounds exactly like my symptoms.
The first part does not.

Bucking at low speeds / low RPM, mainly under 2000 but you can feel the 'jerk' at all speeds and RPMs if you look for it. I had the NTB applied, which eliminated fuel-cut under 1800 RPM (they should have made it 2500 RPM) and the car was better, still not nearly perfect but I could live with it.

A year later I went and had an O2 sensor replaced, and the said 'by the way we upgraded your old code to the latest and greatest'. That's when I realized the problem was BACK with a VENGEANCE!!!

I was ****ed.. many visits to the dealership and they looked at me like I had four heads.. calls to 800-NISSAN1 got them to actually look at it and even clean the throttle-body which made little but hardly any difference.

So finally I gave up.. too many days in the shop for a problem they wouldn't really acknowledge existed, and I was just going freaking crazy driving the thing. It drove up my road rage instinct big time.

The problem is definitely the CAR and not YOU. you SHOULD be able to GENTLY drive this thing in third gear at low RPMs (for kicks, not real driving) without lugging the engine. So that is NOT what the problem is. But if you are in 1st/2nd gear in stop and go traffic, you will go absolutely NUTS.

I seem to have had a worse case of fuel-cut than some people have. I belive that it exists in many cars to a different degree, some people don't have it, some have a little and don't notice it, and some notice it. and then in my case, I really noticed it and could not ignore it. It was nothing like my 93SE 5-speed, so I know what it should feel like.

You have a long and painful road ahead of you.. I recommend calling 800-NISSAN1 and getting your case number, and then keeping on them for a long, long time. They are VERY aware of this problem but apparently don't have any answers. Mine was elevated to a master mechanic level, but even he couldn't fix it.

Face it, your car sucks until this problem is fixed. Unless you only drive on open roads, that is.

This problem influenced me enough to get an auto this time around, and I test-drove the hell out of it to make sure there was no hint of fuel cut. (Look for people with automatics making funny complaints)

That being said, my 02GLE auto has been flawless.

 

There is a TSB for the Fuel control/shudder problem. I talked to my service rep about it and he found it. He said it took him about 15 minutes to find. I am getting the remap done this week.

Funny thing is it took him time to find, that means NO OTHER SERVICE REP IS DOING THEIR JOB!!!! They dont want to take the time to look for you guys. I will get the TSB number and let you all know.

They have to remap the entire ECU. Full reinstall you could say.

And for the driving bellow 2000 RPM..... My car is soooo smooth under 2000 rpm that everyone in the car compliments how well it drives, so I dont buy that higher gear BS. That rule is for Hondas!

 

Is the TSB specifically for 2k2, or is it one of the older ones and your tech said he would try it? Either way, let us know the details and how it works out. I've learned to work with it, but I'd love to return my car to the way it was at delivery.

 

Please share asap. I talked to my service dealer about the hesitation and he admitted all 02's he's driven do this; said he hasn't driven one that didn't. Also, I'm not having the bucking at low RPM's as I did with my 01. I thought the 02's had it taken care of. Maybe earlier models? Mine was manufacutred on September 01...seems early to me.

THANKS AGAIN!!!

srm

 

Here is the TSB that I was told.

I did a search on that .gov site, but didnt find the info. If someone else has a link, give it a try. Enjoy.


TSB: NTB01-018A

 

That is for 2000 - 2001 model years. I don't believe it can apply to 2002 due to different engine.

 

Any manual transmission car should be able to accelerate from below 2000rpms. Some cars just accelerate better than others from low rpms. I constantly accelerate from 1500rpm around town. I also accelerate from a slight roll (2-3mph) in 2nd gear which is about 800rpms. My car never hiccups or protests. My Maxima is a 96 and I have no problems driving below 2000rpms. I'd think the 5th gen shouldn't have any problems either. You'd think advances in technology wouldn't cause problems like these. It looks like Nissan has a programming glitch.

Is driving and accelerating from low rpms stressful on the motor? It use to be back in the days of carburation, but not now. The ECU can advance/retard timing, use a variety of fuel maps, etc to keep the engine at a safe function regardless of rpm (as long as you're under redline).


Dave

 

When I am at 60mph in 6th gear my car sits below 2k rpm. So should I not drive my car in 6th gear on the highway? or should I just haul a$$ on the highway to keep my RPMs up?


KTM - my dealer knows I have a 2k2. I would hope that he checked that.... Hope.

 

The list of people with 2002 Maxima and having the hesitation problem is growing. Look at threads under Maxmann and alui. Also search for "2k2 hesitation". Hope we can unite and have NISSAN admit this and fix this.